Ahmet came to the U.S. from Turkey in 2001, hoping to earn a Master’s degree in business and math.They were his favorite subjects and he admits with a grin, “I like math.” With math on his mind, he moved to Florida and lived with a host family for eight months. Ahmet became an integral part of their family and often babysat their nine-year-old son. The boy helped Ahmet navigate his newly-adopted country, learn English and become a fan of baseball. Today, he always roots for the Astros!
With several brothers living in Houston and loving it, Ahmet decided to move. He attended a Christian school with ESL classes, where his primary book was a Bible. The words were very difficult for him to understand and he begged for something simpler to read, like a newspaper. The school’s strategy worked because he is not only fluent in his second language, but seems to have an affinity for languages. Whenever someone from another country comes to Phoenicia’s hot grille line, he eagerly quizzes them on words and phrases related to customer service in their country and can now say “Hello, may I help you?” in many languages. He is often heard greeting a customer in Japanese or naming different toppings in Spanish. He has even learned sign language. Ahmet works very hard to make people feel comfortable at Phoenicia. He wants them to feel as he does, like it’s a second home.
Ahmet has a passion for food, has worked at several pizza restaurants and is quite the expert with pizza dough, kneading, pressing and tossing like an Italian master. He also worked at a Turkish restaurant, where the owner taught him to make exciting entrées, breads, appetizers and desserts. Ahmet then took a chance and opened a restaurant in The Woodlands with his brother. It was a fun two-and-a-half-year adventure, but a desire for change led him to Phoenicia.
When Ahmet first came to Houston, his family took him to Phoenicia’s Westheimer location, where he was thrilled to find so many products from home. As a restaurant owner, he became a wholesale customer and found Phoenicia to be a very friendly company. Luis, Phoenicia’s driver extraordinaire, was one of his first friends in Houston and he often placed orders with Esin, a manager at the Westheimer store, whom he held in high esteem. He believed with so many wonderful people, Phoenicia must be a great place to work. One day, as Ahmet was lamenting his desire for a change, Luis suggested he come to work for Phoenicia. Ahmet loved the idea and went to the store where he finally met Esin. With his warm personality shining brightly in his interview, Ahmet was hired for the hot grille Downtown.
He enjoys educating customers about foods they may not have tried and keeps up with regular customers and what is happening in their world. Everyone is a “cousin brother” to Ahmet. With a positive disposition and eternal smile, he landed the nickname, “Smiley.” When asked how to make an “Ahmet Special” hot grille sandwich, there is no hesitation. “Chicken shawarma with hummus, muhammara, tomato, turnip, cabbage and tzatiki. That’s how it is best!” He also admits the Chicken Pesto from the cold deli is very good, too.
Ahmet manages to bring a bit of Phoenicia home to his four-year-old niece, who loves Ulker Gazoz drinks and eagerly checks his bag daily for the yummy treat. Hoping to someday find a special lady to share his passion for food, family and Phoenicia, Ahmet will happily raise the next generation of Phoenicia shoppers. Come Downtown to meet him and discover all the things that make Ahmet smile.
Treat Mama to YUMMY! dinner and Weekend Brunch specials guaranteed to make her happy. Dinner highlights include Carrot Ginger Soup and Roasted Salmon, while Pizza with Gold Potato, Roasted Garlic, Brie and Bacon joins MKT Crab Cakes as brunch specials. Mama can also choose classic à la carte brunch favorites such as Hill Country Fried Chicken & Waffles, Piperade with Eggs, party-pretty pomegranate mimosas, summer-loving white sangria and more. Little ones can gobble up YUMMY! items from our MKT BAR kids menu including popular Bayou City Sliders, Fish and Chips and more. On Sunday, May 10, Mama will enjoy live music with the Idol Gossip jazz band performing from noon to 3PM.
MKT BAR Mother’s Day Dinner Specials Available Friday-Sunday, May 8-10
(Regular MKT BAR menu will also be available.)
Appetizer Carrot Ginger Soup with Champagne $6
Entrée Roasted Salmon in Parchment $18
With gold potatoes, fennel, tomatoes and green olives
Dessert Fraisier Cake $7
Vanilla butter cream, fresh strawberries, almond paste and layers of almond cake served with strawberry coulis
MKT BAR Mother’s Day Weekend Brunch Specials Available Saturday-Sunday, May 9-10
(Regular Weekend Brunch menu will also be available.)
Yum for Mum Pizza $12
With gold potatoes, roasted garlic, brie, bacon and fresh parsley
MKT Crab Cakes $14
On an English muffin with asparagus and hollandaise sauce
Phoenicia In-store Gift Items – Available All Month at Both Locations
Chef-created artisan chocolates
Gourmet spice assortments
Handcrafted housewares including Turkish coffee pots and Polish stoneware
Le Creuset cookware
Cookbooks from around the world
Phoenicia and MKT BAR gift cards in any amount
Champagne
Boutique wines | Bring home the flavors of Italian wine this Mother’s Day with these featured wines:
San Marzano Primitivo: A fresh, fruit-forward red drink with the amazing flavors of Italian cuisine like pizza, pastas and robust soups or simply enjoy by itself. Kreos Rosé: Dry, styled, berry-filled rosé that is made to be paired with lighter dishes including roasted chicken or salad.
San Pietro Chardonnay: The minerality, crispness and great acidity make this an amazing accompaniment to grilled or roasted fish
Bakery Specials – Available May 3-10 at Both Locations
Raspberry Linzer Torte
Nuns (available in different flavors)
Lemon Mandolines
Fresh Fruit Financier
French Macarons available in different flavors including Passion Fruit, Lemon, Caramel, Coffee, Earl Grey Tea, Raspberry, Chocolate or Vanilla
This exhibition features a series of images from around Houston that capture the confluence of new/old and sharp/bright/dull that exemplifies Houston. Unger’s work explores the juxtaposition of color, age, texture, geometry, time and space across a variety of scales. “Houston Forever” is an exhibition of the integration of Houston’s gritty landscape, time and light.
All artwork will be available for purchase. Exhibition organized by Charisse Weston.
EXHIBITION: April 8 – May 28, 2015 OPENING RECEPTION: Meet the artist, Wednesday, April 8, 7-9PM. COST: Free admission. Food, drinks and all artwork will be available for purchase.
Beginning Friday, April 3, 2015, Phoenicia Specialty Foods & MKT BAR will offer YUMMY! Easter food specials and holiday-themed treats all weekend long.
Highlights from the menu include Braised Leg of Lamb, Smoked Salmon Pizza and Challah French Toast for MKT Weekend Brunch, along with classic a’la carte brunch favorites such as Hill Country Fried Chicken & Waffles, Piperade with Eggs and more.Toast the occasion with a refreshing Pomegranate Mimosa, Sake Bloody Mary or a bottle of bubbly, complete with live music on Sunday.
Then get hopping on your Easter shopping at Phoenicia Specialty Foods. With YUMMY! Phoenicia-exclusive, limited-edition imported Italian dark chocolate Easter eggs, house-made Challah bread with baked eggs and braided sweet breads, Artisan chocolates and more, Phoenicia is a one-stop Easter shop-til-you-drop spot.
MKT Brunch makes every bunny feel like a V.I.Peep, available Saturday-Sunday, April 4-5 10AM-3PM. Enjoy live music from the talented Boodah and His Painted Jazz Band during brunch from noon-3PM.
Also, savor these Easter specials from Friday, April 3 – Sunday, April 5:
Green Bean and Chickpea Salad $8
with goat cheese
Braised Leg of Lamb $18
with holiday couscous and grilled kale
Smoked Salmon Pizza $12
with asparagus, capers, lemon zest and dill havarti
Challah French Toast $9
with caramel pecan sauce
Chiffon Easter Basket Dessert $7
Crispy vanilla bean meringue filled with a diplomat cream topped with spring mixed berries
Make any dish eggsceptionally YUMMY! by pairing it with a signature coffee or gelato, hoppy craft beers, mimosas, white sangria or other refreshing cocktail of your choice, such as our:
Basil Rita
fresh basil steeped in simple syrup & lime juice, finished with sparkling wine, seltzer & chopped basil, with a salted rim
Raspberry MKT Mojito
raspberry simple syrup & mint, shaken with apple juice & our house rosé
Sangria Blanca
seasonal berries, fruit & citrus marinated overnight w/ our sommelier’s white wine blend | Carafe offered
Pomegranate Mimosa
light & effervescent pomegranate juice with Prosecco sparkling wine | Carafe offered
Join us as we pay homage to Irish culture with an offering of St. Patty’s-themed food and beer specials!
MKT BAR Specials Served March 14-17, 2PM-kitchen close
Shepherd’s Stew $11 Phoenicia’s own Guinness beef stew served in a cast iron pan, topped with whipped potatoes, browned in the oven and served with Irish soda bread
The Irish $12 Pizza topped with Irish-shredded corned beef, gold potatoes, Brussels sprout leaves and Irish cheddar
Dessert
Shamrock Pie $7 A zesty lemon curd topped with a baked meringue
Featured Irish Beers
Guinness Stout $4 The Irish stout all others are measured against and the one crafted to perfection for more than 200 years.
Brooklyn Brewery Dry Irish Stout $4 Proudly carries on the tradition of dry stouts brewed in Ireland for centuries. A blend of dark roasted, pale, and flaked malts produce rich coffee and chocolate flavors to enjoy on St. Patty’s or any ol’ day.
Gelato $2.75-$3.50 Bailey’s Irish Cream
St. Pat’s Mint Chocolate Chip
Guinness
Irish Cream Affogato $4.95 Irish Cream Cheesecake gelato topped w/ 2 shots of espresso, served w/ a shortbread cookie
MKT BAR Brunch Served Saturday and Sunday, March 14-15 French Toast with macerated strawberries $9
Corned Beef hash $6
Phoenicia In-Store Specials Available March 11-17
Featured Cheeses Kerrygold Cashel Blue
Tuxford and Tebbutt Mature Irish Cheddar
Cahill’s Farm Cheddar with Porte
Soup Bar Irish Beef Stew
Potato Leek Soup
Split Pea and Ham Soup
Featured Cold Deli Specials Corned Beef
Cabbage w/ Bacon
Mini Shepherd’s Pies
Twice-baked Irish potatoes w/ green onions topped w/ Irish cheddar
Featured Hot Grille Specials Rotating March 11-March 17
Cottage Pie (beef) w/ root vegetables and garlic mashed potatoes topped with Stout gravy
House-made Corned Beef
Braised Cabbage
Rosemary and Thyme-roasted Potatoes
Bakery Available March 11-17 Chocolate mint mousse, green tea and white chocolate cake and shamrock cookie
Irish soda bread
This exhibition features large and small-scale works on paper that explore relationships between line, color, and space. In spite of the presence of geometric repetition, Radcliffe’s works display a spontaneity and sincerity that makes even the smallest piece speak loudly to the viewer. “Grids” is an exhibition of powerful pieces, full of colorful vibrancy and depth.
James Radcliffe is a Houston-based artist currently pursuing an MFA in painting from the University of Houston. He produces his drawings and paintings on found and salvaged supports to add an underlying history upon which his marks elaborate. RadcliffeJames explores abstractions derived from a repetitious mark-making activity which employs color, or the lack thereof, to engage the viewer. Radcliffe has exhibited at Project Row Houses, DiverseWorks, Alabama Song Art Space, and was recently awarded a 2015 Idea Fund Grant.
All artwork will be available for purchase. Exhibition organized by Charisse Weston
EXHIBITION: February 11 – April 4, 2015 OPENING RECEPTION: Wednesday, February 11, 7-9PM. Meet the artist at 9PM. COST: Free admission. Food, drinks and all artwork will be available for purchase.
Giddy up and GO TEXAN as we circle the wagons to bring you four Boot Scootin’ Steak Nights. Savor great grub with a Texas twang, wash it down with beer and wine specials, and two-step till the cows come home with live country music.
Go Texan Menu
MKT Frito Pie w/ Haig’s Chili $8
ground chuck steak with onions, roasted peppers, fava beans and chickpeas
BBQ Ribs $12.99
with sweet potato salad
Ribeye $12.99
with iron-skillet baked beans and fresh tossed coleslaw
Double-Cut Pork Chop $17
with iron-skillet baked beans and fresh tossed coleslaw
Meet the cutest, quirkiest couple! They met at a friend’s birthday party, where Nikki Machacek was taking photos and Chris Dunaway was playing in the band. While photographing the band Nikki noticed Chris. She thought he had a cute smile and was wearing braces, which she loved. They talked throughout the night and discovered they had a lot in common, but their fate was sealed when she put a cartoon aardvark “Arthur” plate on her face and Chris thought it was hilarious! Even though they were both dating other people, they felt a connection and soon after began to date. Their first date was an outing to the movie Slumdog Millionaire, and since they both have a passion for indie movies, it was followed by many more movie date nights.
They found a great place in the Heights and moved in together, not knowing that it was owned by her grandmother’s arch enemy! Even with an antagonistic landlord, they managed to “become adults together,” Nikki says with a sweet smile. They adopted a kitty named Slinky, and then another baby kitty named Pumpkin. Nikki convinced Chris to quit smoking and become a vegetarian, and Chris taught Nikki how to parallel park. Even though they have broken up and gotten back together, the love and support they have for each other has brought them back together and made them even stronger. (Of course it may also be a shared passion for music and comic books!)
Nikki and Chris eventually moved into a larger house with two other roommates, and Chris finding himself the only guy in a house full of women. The move allowed them to escape their landlord and gain the space to explore their talents. Nikki is an aspiring artist and Chris plays bass guitar in several popular bands. When they aren’t at work or practicing, you might find them at home, making dinner together. They love to make YUMMY! dinners side by side, as neither wants to cook an entire meal.
Because Nikki and Chris are from small Texas towns, Dickinson and Santa Fe, respectively, they have a deep compassion for a simple, shared life. Nikki declares they are engaged to be married and that they may want to adopt children someday. “First, we’ll probably start with a dog, and then maybe a monkey,” she says with a luminous laugh.
Their love of all things brings them to Phoenicia, where they enjoy many epicurean delights. When pressed for a favorite item, carb love wins out. They can’t live without a MKT BAR pizza.
Come to MKT BAR this Valentine’s and like Nikki and Chris, celebrate all that is love, friendship and pizza!
Phoenicia Pastry Chef David Berg will teach kids ages 3 and up how to bake and decorate cookies. After class, kids will prepare personal artisan pizzas and enjoy a pizza party, goody bag, and more fun. Includes complimentary MKT BAR cocktails for parents. $40 per child, per class. Limited space available.
For class schedule and to purchase tickets, visit Eventbrite.com
WHAT: Kid’s Pastry Classes and Pizza Parties WHERE: Phoenicia Specialty Foods Downtown
1001 Austin Street (across the street from Discovery Green)
Houston, Texas 77010 PARKING: Complimentary parking is available in the One Park Place garage on a first-come, first-served basis. Enter garage on McKinney. CONTACT: (832) 360-2222
On Saturday, February 14th, all of Cupid’s single and hitched friends can enjoy Cuddle Fest Karaoke at MKT BAR. From 7-10PM, DJ Tempty will spin soulful love tunes, followed by cuddly karaoke emceed by local music man and internationally-known lover, Mark Austin & the Superstars. In addition to stardom on the stage, participants will be treated to YUMMY! Snickerdoodles.
Dinner Specials at MKT BAR Available Thursday, February 12th through Sunday, February 15th.
Brunch Specials at MKT BAR Available Saturday, February 14th and Sunday, February 15th from 10AM-3PM, with live music from Danielle Reich’s Gypsy Jazz on Sunday from noon-3PM. Specials include:
Half off Pomegranate Mimosa carafes and Sangria carafes
Half off Chicken & Waffles with the purchase of another entrée
Half off select bottles of reds, whites and bubbles
ALL MONTH: Enjoy in-store sweetheart treats at Phoenicia, too!
WHAT: Valentine’s Celebration WHERE: MKT BAR and Phoenicia Specialty Foods Downtown 1001 Austin Street (across the street from Discovery Green) Houston, Texas 77010 PARKING: Complimentary parking is available in the One Park Place garage on a first-come, first-served basis. Enter garage on McKinney. CONTACT: (832) 360-2222
YUMMY! Holiday Decorating Class Reservation Form
Kids YUMMY! Food Classes Reservation Form
Kids YUMMY! Summer Cooking Classes Reservation Form
